Burayda bin Husayb (r.a.)

During the Migration, the Prophet came out of Makkah at midnight before the eyes of the polytheists and set off to go to Madinah; this infuriated the polytheists. They wanted to do their best to find the Prophet and Hz. Abu Bakr before they arrived in Madinah and kill them. They went into action immediately. They started to look for him by forming many groups. They also promised 100 camels to the person to bring them dead or alive to ensure their capture.

This news reached almost every tribe around Makkah. Everyone wanted to get this reward promised by Quraysh.

Burayda bin Husayb was one of those bounty hunters. He was the leader of Sons of Sahm. He took about 80 men with him and started to search for the Prophet. Finally, he found them near a place called Amini. The Prophet saw Burayda and his men coming toward them. However, he did not panic. For, he trusted in Allah with all his heart. He asked Burayda, "Who are you?" When he received the answer "Burayda", he said to Abu Bakr, "We have felt relived." Then, he asked Burayda about his tribe. Burayda said, "I am from the tribe of Aslam." The Prophet asked, "From which clan of Aslam?" Burayda answered: "From Sons of Sahm." The Prophet always interpreted things favorably. He interpreted his name, his tribe, and the clan he belonged to favorably. He thought they would not harm him. "Burayda" reminded the meaning of coolness and "Aslam" of salvation. Burayda did not know whom he was talking to. However, he admired his perseverance courage and speech. He wanted to know him and asked him who he was. The Prophet answered, "I am Muhammad, the son of Abdullah, who was the son of Abdulmuttalib." Then he invited him to become a Muslim. The torch of belief started to burn in the heart of Burayda; and his face started to brighten with the light of belief. He uttered kalima ash-shahada at once and became a Muslim. The people who were with him followed him.

He was neither the first nor the last of those who came to kill the Prophet but who became believers.

The Prophet spent the night there. In the morning, Burayda came and said to the Prophet, "O Messenger of Allah! It is not appropriate for you to enter Madinah without a flag." Then he removed his turban and tied it to the end of his spear. He walked carrying it beside the Prophet until he entered Madinah. Burayda remained in Madinah for a while and returned to his hometown.

He migrated to Madinah in the 6th year of the Migration. For this reason, he could not join the battles of Badr, Uhud and Khandaq. He participated in the Treaty of Hudaybiyya. He was also present in the Pledge of Ridwan. He took part in the conquest of Khaybar and Makkah too. Then, he joined some expeditions under the command of Hz. Khalid and Hz. Ali. He participated in all of the other battles with the Prophet.

Burayda was a Companion with virtues. He obeyed the Prophet regarding every issue. He had a separate place in the eye of the Messenger of Allah. He could enter into the presence of the Prophet easily.

Burayda lived in Madinah until the death of the Prophet. After that, he left Madinah like the other Companions and settled in Basra.

Hz. Burayda said, “Blood of jihad runs through my blood vessels. I will spend my life on horseback." For this reason, he joined the armies of conquest during the Era of the Caliphs. He fought heroically. He died in 63 H. Burayda narrated 164 hadiths from the Prophet. Two of these hadiths are as follows:

"Do not say 'master' to hypocrites. For, if they become masters and are regarded to be superior to others, you will attract the wrath of Allah Almighty."

"He who misappropriates, who provokes a woman against her husband and a slave against his master is not one of us." [1]
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